Like all the way to Rome: Monster traffic jams in Moscow after heaviest spring snowfall in 50yrs

Dozens of canceled flights, tailbacks equaling the distance between Moscow and Rome, and almost 1,000 traffic incidents overnight – the strongest ‘early spring’ snowfall in 50 years has stormed the Russian capital.

Moscow received 20cm of snow overnight, which is some 65 percent of the monthly norm, according to weather services. Meteorologists say this is the heaviest snowfall since 1966.

Others decided not to dig out their cars from the thick snow and took the Metro instead. It was a wise decision, as the Yandex traffic app indicated that the total length of traffic jams in the city was no less than 3,400km – which is even more than the distance between Moscow and Rome.

According to Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin, dealing with the consequences of such heavy snowfall will take several days.